How your dog plays can reveal and also shape a lot about their unique personality. Many breeds also exhibit similar play characteristics. For instance, many labradors, huskies, and terriers love physical exercise and play. Border collies, golden retrievers, and German shepherds often take well to mental stimulation and puzzle games.
Different types of play will strengthen various traits in your dog. While all play appears fun, it’s also an important element of a dog’s development and well-being. Dog owners should understand the significance of play for a well-rounded animal. From puppies to elderly dogs, play is critical.
Below we’ll take a look at various types of play for your dog. Ask yourself these questions as you read on:
- How does your dog play?
- Which areas can you help promote?
Most Common Play Behaviors
Physical Exercise – Some dogs gravitate to physical exercise. They may be born hunters, chasers, or retrievers. They may thrive on water play in a local lake, pond, or river. They may go straight to tug of war. These exercises offer fun ways for dogs to improve their physical conditioning. You can think of them as the canine version of going to the gym, or playing competitive sports.
Physical play for puppies, helps them to activate their senses and understand the constructs of the world around them. It helps them to develop enhanced motor skills and defense. Play at this age shows up in some very fundamental behaviors, including:
- Rolling
- Nipping
- Pouncing
- Jumping
- Shaking
All of these behaviors help in the development of coordination, and some breeds are certainly more energetic than others. Like anything else, puppies need to learn when these behaviors are acceptable, and when they are not. For instance, jumping on furniture or nipping small children should be no-no’s.
But physical play remains crucial for their conditioning and development, and it showcases their unique personalities.
Mental Exercise – Different types of puzzles with food rewards introduce positive reinforcement. If a dog is suffering from boredom, they may need more than just physical exercise. Puzzles give dogs a job to do.
Like humans, dogs are less anxious when they are distracted with a job. If your dog is busy with a puzzle toy, they too, are less likely to exhibit anxious behaviors.
For dogs that like to chew, dig, scratch, or otherwise cause trouble indoors, a puzzle toy is a great way to stimulate their minds and keep them occupied. If you give your dog a job to do with a puzzle toy, they are less likely to cause mischief or damage inside the home.
Puzzles for dogs have numerous other benefits, too. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, a puzzle toy may slow down their food intake and keep their stomach calm. They may also help to prevent dementia in older dogs.
Most of all, puzzle toys add another option for fun into your dog’s life!
Chew – Some dogs need to remain active. They need to be given a job and given some direction. Without that direction, they may begin chewing furniture, or display other destructive behaviors. Chew toys can help to guide some of those behaviors in a way that’s more acceptable to the owner. Investing a few dollars in a chew toy is a great way to leave your furniture intact.
Chew toys also promote healthy teeth and gums and relieve teething pain. They can act like a toothbrush, scraping away the plaque that otherwise leads to gum disease. They do this in a fun way, that provides endless entertainment.
A Playful Dog is a Happy Dog
Active play for dogs comes with many benefits. They become physically and mentally healthier. They can improve social skills when they play with humans and other dogs. It improves the dog/owner bonding experience.
After a long day at work, playing with your dog can certainly help you feel more relaxed. Check out the complete Tall Tails lineup of toys. You’ll find something for every dog!
